A company of 100 CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel arrived in the city on Sunday to assist the local police in view of the Left Democratic Front’s siege of the Secretariat from Monday seeking the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over the solar scam.
The paramilitary force that reached here by 10.30 a.m. with all essential armaments to fight riotous situations was accommodated at the Armed Reserve (AR) camp at Maloorkunnu. Their support would be sought only to meet emergency situations. Senior police officers said the company would act under the command of the City Police Commissioner and, that too, when the local police were finding it hard to manage the situation
“The 100-member company reached here as part of their State-wide deployment for fighting unanticipated protests disrupting public life and the functioning of government offices. It will mainly act as a stand-by force for the district,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police K.B. Venugopalan. He also maintained that the force would not be deployed unless necessary and that the law and order would mainly be controlled by the local police.
To avoid health hazards and chances of food poisoning, the CRPF men themselves will prepare their food and independently manage their activities at the camp. Only the accommodation and transportation part will be the responsibility of the AR camp officials. CRPF Assistant Commandant Ajith Kumar will lead the company, mostly comprising personnel from various north Indian States.
Along with the CRPF, the policemen at the AR Camp too will be prepared for fighting unexpected protests.
“Now we have the strength of over 500 policemen here, which would be sufficient to meet the normal law and order requirements,” said a senior officer attached to the AR Camp. He also pointed out that the arrival of the CRPF was just part of a precautionary step, about which no one had to be apprehensive.
